Hyundai Developing A Twin-Charged 1.8L GDCI Engine

The trend in the automotive industry seems to be shifting towards diesel and electric powertrains, but that doesn’t mean that the gasoline internal combustion engine is dead yet.

Hyundai are very much at the forefront of improving the gasoline engine so that they can deliver improved performance and efficiency.

Just recently, the automotive media was given a little glimpse of Hyundai’s work at the automakers technical center in Superior Township, MI.

What was on show were the preliminary details of a brand-new 1.8L GDCI (Gasoline Direct-Injection Compression) engine that Hyundai plans on putting into production soon.

Nayan Engineer, one of Hyundai’s top powertrain experts, said that the goal of the new GDCI four-cylinder engine is to make it as efficient as a diesel.

He also expects that the engine will have a performance level that is equal to or better than conventional gasoline engines, albeit at a cost that is even more affordable than diesel.

Hyundai believes that their upcioming 1.8-liter GDCI will be even more efficient than a comparable 2.0- liter diesel with the same performance level.

How does Hyundai’s GDCI engine work?

The easiest way to think of it is as a hybrid engine comprised of the best parts of a diesel and gasoline engine out together and then turbocharged to perform better.

The GDCI that is currently being developed uses a supercharger to deliver low exhaust gas temperatures and a turbocharger for high-speed power.

Combined with an extremely high compression ratio – 14.8:1 – as well as a fully variable valvetrain, Hyundai expects a 1.8-liter GDCI engine to be more efficient than a comparable 2.0-liter diesel engine with similar performance.

Release Date?

The engine development process is now entering the final testing phase.

Hyundai plans to build a limited number of Sonata prototypes and begin real life testing program.

The highly-efficient 1,8L GDCI unit is expected to debut in a Sonata mid-size sedan in late 2015 or early 2016.